AJ McKee defeats Salamat Isbulaev by unanimous decision at PFL San Diego

AJ McKee picked up a commanding unanimous decision win over Salamat Isbulaev at PFL San Diego on June 28, 2026, with all three judges returning identical 30-27 scorecards in favor of the American featherweight.

McKee, who fights out of the featherweight division under the nickname "Mercenary," improved his professional record to 8-0 with the victory. Standing five-foot-ten and 178 centimeters tall, he has built his unbeaten run on a relentless blend of wrestling and submission hunting. Those tendencies were on full display against Isbulaev, as McKee averaged an extraordinary 11.01 takedowns and 11 submission attempts per 15 minutes across his career, giving him the tools to dictate where fights are contested and keep opponents constantly on the defensive.

Isbulaev entered the contest with an equally spotless 9-0 professional record, making the matchup a rare collision of two undefeated fighters. The 29-year-old from Kazakhstan stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, and carries a striking accuracy of 50 percent. Despite that precision on the feet, he was unable to keep McKee off him long enough to impose his own game, and the bout unfolded largely on McKee's terms from the opening round.

Why it matters

• McKee's unblemished 8-0 record, combined with a dominant three-round performance, firmly establishes him as a significant force in the featherweight division.
• The result hands Isbulaev his first professional loss, ending a 9-0 start to his career and likely reshuffling his positioning in the featherweight rankings picture.
• The stylistic contrast — McKee's grappling-heavy, submission-oriented approach against a striker with a clean undefeated record — underscores that McKee can neutralize dangerous opponents before they find their footing.